Ohio State Game 11: Wisconsin

Wednesday

Aug 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 29, 2012 at 9:11 AM

Bret Bielema (seventh season)

2011: 11-3; 6-2 Leaders (t-1st)

Nov. 17, time TBA; TV: TBA

Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis.

Returning stars

Montee Ball finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting after leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally in rushing (137.36 yards per game) and tying Barry Sanders' NCAA season record with 39 touchdowns. Receiver Jared Abbrederis had 55 receptions for 933 yards and eight touchdowns. Outside linebacker Mike Taylor led the Big Ten in tackles and middle linebacker Chris Borland was first-team all-conference.

Newcomer to watch

Danny O'Brien will be the starting quarterback. He passed for 4,086 yards and 29 touchdowns in two seasons at Maryland.

Keys to the offense

Starting QB Russell Wilson and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst moved on, handing the reins to O'Brien and new coordinator Matt Canada. The line has holes to fill but, as usual, there's plenty of beef in the barn. The Badgers still will do what they do: wear down opponents with ball possession.

Keys to the defense

Two starters return at each level, and with Borland and Taylor hawking the ball, the Badgers have a chance to be at least as good as last season, when they were in the upper half of the Big Ten statistically and forced 26 turnovers.

Special-teams standout

Abbrederis led the Big Ten and was No. 3 nationally in punt returns with a 15.8-yard average. He also averaged 24.6 yards on kickoff returns.

Question marks

The Badgers must replace their kicker and punter. Aside from Abbrederis, no wide receivers are proven.

Outlook

With Ohio State ineligible for the Big Ten title game, the coast looks clear for Wisconsin to play in it for the second year in a row and possibly become the first Big Ten team in 34 years (since Michigan in 1977 to '79) to reach the Rose Bowl three years in a row. The schedule is friendly, with Ohio State and Michigan State visiting Madison.

- Bob Baptist

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